Association of Palau with Koror state rangers and U.S.
Ambassador John Hennessey-Niland with his wife
pose for a photo following the first Veterans Day
parade in Republic of Palau. VIEW ORIGINAL
opportunity to talk to John Kintaro’s youngest brother,
Jimmy Kintaro to learn more about the first Palauan to
serve in Vietnam. From the time this interview was
conducted, Jimmy Kintaro unfortunately passed away.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and
family. VIEW ORIGINAL
with the Protected Area Network Fund meets with the
Task Force Ocean Public Affairs team to discuss his
experience in the U.S. Armed Forces and his new life
as a veteran at home in Palau. VIEW ORIGINAL
Raphael Bao Ngirmang (2nd from left) joined the USMC in 1956
and served for 23 years. His first deployment was in Lebanon
in 1958 under President Eisenhower, and had subsequent
deployments to the Dominican Republic in 1965 and two tours
in Vietnam. He received a 2 purple hearts for 2 different
wounds received in action, among numerous other awards.
Following his time in the Marine Corps, he returned home
and managed Palau’s IPSECO power plant and later became
one of the Paramount Chiefs of Palau, REKLAI, representing his
clan from Melekeok. High Chief Reklai Ngirmang is one of the
outstanding voices of traditional and cultural leadership that
advocate for stronger youth. He continues to espouse
environmental conservation as Palau’s way of life. He is
pictured here having a conversation with a group of Marines. VIEW ORIGINAL
KOROR, Palau – The population of the Republic of Palau is just under 22,000. For a country of its size, many of its citizens volunteer to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces every year, so much so that military service is an important part of the local culture and identity.
“As part of Task Force Oceania, I have learned that the U.S. military has a great impact in Palau," said U.S. Army Sgt. Florence Yangilmau, team’s Palau’s cultural liaison and noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “From all the World War II relics and monuments to the continuous support of the civic action teams, and the U.S. Navy ships that routinely pass through the island chain, and the old U.S. Coast Guard post at Anguar, the military has always been a big part of our lives here.”
Approximately 500 Palauans currently serve as volunteers in the U.S. armed forces. After their service, many Palauans continue serving in local government, business, and community leadership roles.
There are a variety of reasons why Palauans choose to serve. Some feel a sense of duty to help defend the U.S. and by extension Palau, while others join as a means of gaining skills and independence.
“I absolutely recommend military service for Palauans,” said Duke Gibson, a Palauan and U.S. veteran who now works for the Protected Area Network Fund as a site advisor. “It provides a lot of opportunities for those that join." He continued, “But what I got most from my time in the military is confidence, the confidence to accept when I’m wrong and to go and find the answer wherever it is.”
To understand why the people of Palau join the U.S. Armed Forces, we must understand the historical ties between the two countries.
In 1947, following World War II, under the auspices of the United Nations as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the United States assumed administration of Palau. Then in 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
Later, in 1994, Palau gained its independence and established diplomatic relations with the United States with the entry into force of the Compact, under which the U.S. remains responsible for Palau’s defense until 2044.
From the time of the initial signing of the compact, the people of Palau have left their island nation to begin new lives as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Like many service members, they gain additional training, education, and experience away from home but some also get married. The current president’s family was no exception.
“My father first moved to the U.S. by enlisting as a medic in the U.S. Army,” said Surangel S. Whipps Jr., the 9th elected president of the Republic of Palau. “After his enlistment, he attended the University of Baltimore, where he met my mother,” added Whipps Jr. The history of military service runs deep for the people of Palau and for some, predates the signing of the compact.
“My brother, John J. Kintaro served from 1966 to 1971 and became a captain and a helicopter pilot in Vietnam,” said Jimmy Kintaro, John Kintaro’s youngest brother. “In fact, he was the first person in all of Micronesia to become a helicopter pilot in the U.S. military. John was also the first and only Palauan to die in combat in Vietnam,” he said.
It is unfortunate that for many Americans, Palau remains little more than a mysterious tiny island nation in the giant Pacific Ocean, but this tiny island has contributed and sacrificed so much in service to the U.S. and it is important for all service members to be aware of the continued service of the people of Palau in the U.S. military.
“The people of Palau welcome the U.S. military,” said Whipps Jr. “We think it’s a great opportunity for us to both provide security and stability in the region and to really help the people achieve their Palauan dream in Palau.”
Task Force Oceania is an Army Task Force consisting of Soldiers from all components of the U.S. Army; active duty, Army Reserve and National Guard. Their mission is to provide continuous presence in the Pacific Island Countries located in Oceania, assist the U.S. embassy as needed, and reinforce lasting and meaningful relationships in the region.
(Task Force Oceania Public Affairs interviewed Jimmy Kintaro for this article. From the time this interview was conducted, Jimmy Kintaro unfortunately passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.)
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